Archive of Our Own ^beta

Alex bakes to relieve stress. When he tells people that, he knows they always misunderstand. A lot of times people think that baking requires Alex to be precise and focused. That he makes delicate cupcakes with perfectly piped frosting. That stress baking is a lot like adult coloring: something to focus on, something that requires precision to yield the most reward.

Which, okay fair. 

Baking always requires precision. Exact amounts of yeast and flour. Proper resting for dough. On point baking times. But Alex knows those in and out.

Alex's stress baking isn't like that. It looks a lot less like focused pastry making and a lot more like beating the crap out of bread dough. To the untrained eye, Alex probably seems like a bad baker in comparison to Luke or Reggie. The two of them love the challenge of a perfectly crafted gourmet dessert. Reggie makes wedding cakes. Yesterday, Luke made a pear tarte tatin recipe because he was bored.

Bread is where Alex excels. Because bread dough doesn't need to be handled with the same care as pastry dough or cake batters. Alex bakes to relieve stress, not give himself more. There is no better way to get all that anxious energy that builds up under his skin out than kneading bread dough. He doesn't need to be gentle or delicate. 

Alex has to use his whole body to really knead properly. It's almost like a workout. Then finally baking the bread makes Alex feel like he can breathe again. He releases the build up of all those negative emotions and energies. Instead of something disastrous coming out of it, Alex makes something beautiful.

Alex loves working at Sunset Curve Confections. Even though he doesn't make confections. Luke, the owner, has never asked him to. When Alex told Luke that he hates sweets and only wants to bake bread goods, Luke agreed without a fight at all. In fact, Luke has always encouraged Alex to do what he wants, just like he does with Reggie and Bobby. 

Reggie takes cake commissions and orders, eager to please customers who want cakes for birthdays and stuff. Bobby roasts coffee beans, brews tea. Occasionally helps Reggie decorate his fancier cakes. Normally, Alex would hate Luke's loose kind of leadership. Except all of them are so talented and dedicated, Luke giving them freedom absolutely works. They're all in charge of their own thing which lets them all produce their best food. That means Alex usually ends up leaving work less stressed out. Usually, being the key word.

Willie is one of the cutest guys Alex has ever met. He has long, burnt bronze hair, deep, brown eyes that absolutely sparkle, and dimples when he smiles. Which is so unfair because Willie smiles a lot. Bobby is friends with Nick and Nick is Willie's step brother. So when Willie and Nick are hanging out, they often stop by SCC to pester Bobby.

Alex has the biggest crush on Willie. But Willie has an insane sweet tooth. It's kind of ruining Alex's life.

The first time Alex meets Willie, he's carrying a tray of freshly baked biscuits out of the kitchen into the cafe. Alex is so focused on where he's going, he doesn't see the other man until it's too late. Willie's messing around with Nick while Bobby keeps telling them to knock it off. Which is how Willie trips over his untied sneakers. When he falls, Willie slams right into Alex. They both crash to the floor.

Alex is pissed.

His biscuits scatter across the tile, totally unsalvageable. Willie laughs. Says oops, my bad like he didn't just destroy hours of hard work. Alex slaps his hand away when Willie tries to help him up. When Alex stands, though, he freezes. Alex has never met Willie or Nick and never pays them any attention. So he had no idea what Willie looks like.

"I'm sorry I totally pancaked you, bro," Willie tucks a stray strand of beautiful, long hair behind his ear and Alex swoons, "How much for the biscuits? I'll pay for them, I swear."

"No, that's-" Alex stammers, clears his throat, "You're good. Don't worry about it."

When Alex bends down to pick up his ruined biscuits, Willie immediately helps.

"I'm Willie, by the way," Willie smiles at Alex and it's the first time Alex sees his dimples.

Alex smiles back, "Alex."

Even though Alex's first impression of Willie isn't the best, Willie quickly proves himself to be an awesome guy. He's sweet and he giggles at Alex's stupid jokes. When Bobby and Reggie make their first real wedding cake, Willie and Nick help them transport it. Neither expecting anything in return. Reggie and Bobby still pay them. Reggie insists they all go out to celebrate. His excitement is pretty contagious. So after closing, they hit up Flynn and Carrie's favorite dive. The two of them insist it has the best drinks but Alex still isn't even sure it has a passing health code rating. 

So he buys a sprite with lime and doesn't drink it. The lime is yellowing. Alex isn't sure if it's supposed to do that. He frowns at his drink, pushes the lime around to get a better look. Just then Willie appears at his side. He's flushed from drinking and dancing. He's got his long hair pulled back into a loose bun and he's wearing a sport coat with shorts. Alex's is pretty sure there are flames on his socks. Willie looks so good it leaves Alex hopelessly flustered.

"Wanna dance?" Willie asks him.

Alex gapes at him, "Like dance with you?"

Willie arches a brow, teasing, "Obviously."

"Oh. Uh. Yeah, okay," Alex stammers, lets Willie take his drink and set it on the bar.

Willie just giggles, "Come on, show me what you got."

When Willie holds his hand out for him, Alex takes it this time.

Willie is charming and friendly, impossible not to like. He tells Alex that he works at the aquarium with Nick. That he skateboards in his free time. And that he paints graffiti, spray painted the mural that Alex passes everyday because it's right by SCC. Alex has always loved that mural. Its abstract colors and designs make him feel alive inside. Willie tells Alex that he loves sweets and that the ones at SCC are his favorite. Then he asks which sweets are the ones Alex makes.

"Oh. You know," Alex laughs awkwardly, shrugging, "Whatever."

Willie grins, "Next time, you'll have to give me one of yours. They've gotta be the best since you're so sweet."

Alex chuckles nervously and digs his grave ever deeper, "Totally."

So a few days later when Willie texts Alex telling him that he's coming to Sunset Curve Confections after work to collect on Alex's promise of sweets, Alex, well, he doesn't exactly panic. But also that's exactly what he does.

"You could always just tell him you made one of Reggie's cupcakes," Bobby says flatly.

Alex gapes at the other boy, "No way! I am not lying to Willie. And no I didn't lie before! I've made cinnamon bread before. That's technically a sweet!"

Luke just laughs at him, "So make some sweets then. We'll be your taste testers."

"I-" Alex gets flustered, embarrassed. Then he squares his shoulders and confesses, "I don't know any recipes for sweets. So I can't make any."

Bobby rolls his eyes and goes back to his coffee maker. For some reason, Alex gets the impression that Bobby knows something he doesn't.

"Hey, I got it!" Luke snaps his fingers, jumps to his feet, "I'll teach you how to make something!"

Alex sighs in relief, "You'd do that?"

"Obviously," Luke throws his arm around Alex's shoulders, steers him back into the kitchen, "What are you thinking? Eclairs? Tartes? Madeleines? Meringues?"

"Something easy," Alex huffs.

"Oh, I know!" Luke laughs in delight, "Let's do cinnamon rolls. I know you can knock those out of the freaking park, man."

Of course Luke thinks something as technically challenging as cinnamon rolls are easy. Although, he's probably right in that Alex is pretty sure he can actually pull them off.

Luke is, unsurprisingly, not a very patient teacher. He bemoans every mistake Alex makes, corrects him after Alex has already messed up, and talks the entire time. So much so it distracts Alex and he almost mixes up his salt and sugar. In the end, they make a batch of incredible smelling cinnamon rolls that look absolutely gorgeous. And Alex really appreciates Luke's help, even if he had been insanely annoying about it.

"Thanks," Alex holds his hand up and Luke claps their palms together, tugs Alex in for a quick half-hug.

"No problem," Luke grins, "Now go get your man."

Alex rolls his eyes but feels his cheeks warm anyway. He pushes Luke's dumb face away and goes back to sorting out his cinnamon rolls. They need to cool and then he needs to get them on a display tray and hopefully by the time Willie shows up, the treats will be out in the cafe and for sale.

Willie shows up, of course, as Alex is putting his rolls into the display case.

Willie smiles that stupidly beautiful smile at him and asks if the cinnamon rolls are his. Alex proudly, and with so much relief, declares that yes they in fact are. When Willie asks if Alex gets a break soon, Alex decides to take his break then and there. And Willie giggles at him as Alex whips his apron off eagerly. They split a cinnamon roll as they take their seats at one of the tables in the cafe.

Willie takes one bite and moans dramatically, "This is so good," Willie tells him, shoves another fluffy piece into his mouth, "See? Knew yours would be the best."

Alex blushes, chuckles, and chokes down a bite too. It's so disgustingly sweet that Alex nearly throws up.

"Mm," Alex forces a smile and chokes the dessert down, "Glad you like it."

"Of course I do," Willie's smile goes a little softer, "You made it. I think I'd like anything you make."

Alex grimaces but tries to hide it with another overly sweet bite of cinnamon roll, "Is that right? You don't have a favorite dessert then?"

"I didn't say that," Willie shrugs, "My favorite dessert is probably…" he trails off like he's thinking, "Um. Probably macarons, I guess."

Alex gapes, "Seriously?"

"What?" Willie grins, "What's wrong with that?"

"Nothing! Nothing," Alex assures, "They're just so fancy."

"Hey, I'm a classy guy," Willie meets Alex's eyes, stares right at him, and sucks a drip of icing off the tip of his thumb, "I have excellent taste. I like the finest things," and his eyes dart down Alex's chest.

Alex's heart skips a beat, he gapes at the other boy. And before he can formulate a response, Willie asks him about his favorite classical composer. And Alex is so thrown he almost says Mozart when obviously Chopin is the shit. Willie chuckles and tells him he loves Debussy.

Alex snorts, "Debussy is overrated."

"Oh, I don't know," Willie snickers like Alex is missing a joke or something, "Debussy can be pretty good if you give it a chance."

The two hang out for way longer than Alex's break actually lasts. But he starts feeling guilty for basically ditching work.

"You're wired a little tight, huh?" Willie teases.

Alex scoffs, "So I've been told."

"Is that why you bake?" Willie asks him, "To help with your anxiety?"

Alex blinks at the other boy for a second. People don't usually pick up on that. And they don't usually bother asking Alex about it if they do.

"Yeah, pretty much," Alex answers, "There's no better way to relieve stress than beating the crap out of bread dough, right?"

Willie looks at him for a moment, then smiles, "Hey, I want to show you what always makes me feel better. Are you free on Wednesday? The museum stays open late on Wednesdays."

"I work but I'm free after. At like seven, I guess?" 

Alex wonders where this is going right up until Willie claps him on his shoulder, shoots to his feet, and tells Alex it's a date. Then he leaves Alex alone in the cafe to flounder over what just happened.

Alex cannot believe Willie asked him out on a date. To a museum of all places.

Alex spends the rest of the week panicking over his date. But by the time Wednesday rolls around, Alex realizes he's mostly just excited. Willie is chill and comfortable to be around. So even though Alex hasn't gone on a date in years he's not so worried about messing up around Willie.

As he's heading out, Alex is asking Bobby about the museum and Bobby is giving him non-answers like he has been all week when they walk in on Reggie making another not-work-related dessert. This morning he made the cutest cakes Alex has ever seen. Hamster cakes. Tonight, though, Reggie reminds Alex that he's an incredibly talented chef. Because he's made a raspberry napoleon that looks absolutely to die for. But Alex still has to tease him about it because that's what they do.

"Dude, if you keep making yourself desserts like this, you're going to get fat."

"No, I go to pilates with Julie's tia and Bobby's dad twice a week," Reggie tells him and Alex chuckles when Bobby sputters in surprise next to him, "Plus, I didn't make this for me. Mille-feuille is Bobby's favorite. So I made it for you, B!"

Oh. His friends are such oblivious idiots. Bobby couldn't be more obvious about his crush on Reggie. And Reggie clearly likes Bobby too even though Alex worries that Reggie is so dense he doesn't even realize.

Alex leaves the two alone to have their moment. Once he's in the breakroom, Alex takes his apron off. He quickly changes into casual clothes instead of his work clothes. Pulls on his favorite jean jacket and stops at Reggie's locker to use his mirror. Reggie is very fussy about his hair. Alex isn't. But he just wants to check and make sure his hair isn't a complete mess or anything. And when he steps out of the breakroom, Alex walks in on Reggie and Bobby kissing.

He interrupts them on accident and watches as they leap apart. Bobby rushes past Alex, heading to the staff room. And Alex winces in sympathy when the door slams shut behind him.

Alex loves his friends. But they're dumb. Like so dumb. So even though Reggie looks like he's about to cry, Alex decides to head out for his date. It's not that he doesn't care. Of course Alex does. He'll do anything for the other two. What he will not do, however, is get between them right now. Alex knows Bobby will get his head out of his ass and work things out. If he doesn't. Well. Alex will have to make him pay for breaking Reggie's heart. He just really doubts that's going to happen.

Alex is supposed to meet Willie at the aquarium because he gets off work a half an hour after Alex. When Alex shows up, he stands awkwardly outside for a minute until Nick spots him. He grins from ear to ear, that boyish grin that Nick always seems to be sporting, and ushers Alex inside.

"Alex, right?" Nick asks and when Alex nods, Nick keeps talking, "Will's almost ready. He just needed to change out of his uniform," Nick gestures down at his own khaki board shorts and matching khaki button down t-shirt, "He told me he'd die of embarrassment if you ever saw him dressed like this. But between you and me he totally rocks this look."

Alex chuckles, "Yeah, I could see that."

"Hey, want a tour while you wait?" Nick asks, clearly excited, "You like animals?"

"Uh, yeah, I like animals. I'm not a monster," Alex shoves his hands in his pockets and gestures ahead with his hand in his coat, "Lead the way."

"I'll give you the speed run version," Nick says as he starts walking.

He takes Alex through the closed aquarium. Shows him the fresh water fish quickly. Gets really excited by the way the stairs wind through the fountains and tanks of fish. Points out the turtles while sharing facts Alex can't really keep up with. Then he breezes through the tropical fish and doesn't even turn down the section that goes to the larger fish. Instead, he takes Alex to the penguin exhibit.

"Why are there penguins in an aquarium?" Alex wonders out loud.

"Penguins live in water too," Nick defends, "They're my favorite. Want to hear something interesting about penguins?"

"Uh," Alex shrugs, "Sure."

"Penguins mate for life," Nick sighs dreamily, "They find their number one, their soulmate, and stay with them for the rest of their lives," Nick looks at Alex like he's just said something meaningful, "Do you believe in soulmates, Alex?"

Alex blinks, gets a little flustered, "I don't-" he stammers, "I guess I've never really thought about it before."

"Well," Nick claps him on his arm, "Food for thought then! Some people are like penguins, right? And they're looking for their number one, their person, their soulmate. Some people aren't looking for something casual. And some people don't want to be played with. You know?"

"Uh, I guess?" Alex doesn't have to wonder what in the heck is going on for long because Willie pokes his head around the corner and spots them.

"There you are!" he grins and immediately comes their way. "Hey, bro," he reaches a hand out and Nick claps their palms together then they pull their hands apart and fist bump, "You ready to go, Alex?"

Alex tries to hide how much Willie's smile steals his breath and grins back.

"For sure," he follows when Willie waves him along. Then turns and waves to Nick, "It was, uh, nice talking to you. Thanks for the tour, Nick."

Nick waves back excitedly, "Have fun, you two!"

Once they're out of earshot of Nick, Willie gives Alex a curious look.

"What was that about?" he asks.

"Oh, he was just-" Alex isn't really sure himself so he offers up, "Showing me around," he gestures vaguely at the aquarium, "Um. Cool fish, dude." He grimaces at himself a little.

Willie suddenly groans, drops his face into his hands.

"Oh no," he looks up at Alex, eyes twinkling with amusement but sympathy too, "He didn't give you the Penguin Talk, did he?"

Alex snorts over a honk of laughter. Then clears his throat and answers, "Yes. I think that's what he was trying to do. And, uh. What exactly is the Penguin Talk? I could not figure out what he was getting at."

Willie rolls his eyes, holding open the door for Alex as they step out onto the street.

"He's just looking out for me. In his own way," Willie explains. 

When he comes up to Alex's side, Willie reaches down and scoops up Alex's hand. Alex's eyes widen, glances down. Then he squeezes Willie's hand back and lets Willie lead him.

"We were in the system together. That's how we met," Willie continues, "And we refused to be adopted separately. Well, Nick refused. Since he was a pretty popular kid. Blue eyes and blonde hair and all that. Still, he wouldn't leave me behind. And I wouldn't leave him either. Our dads didn't want to separate us, thank god. That's how we became official brothers. Even though, really, we were way before that. Now, Nick likes to act like my older brother but we're only two months apart," Willie laughs, "He gives the Penguin Talk because he thinks I'm a hopeless romantic who's desperately searching for his soulmate."

"Yeah?" Alex hums in interest, swinging their joined hands a little, "Is he right?"

Willie just gives him a little smirk. Then he stops, pulling Alex to a stop as well, "We're here. Come on."

Willie has taken Alex to a contemporary art museum. Alex is a little surprised. When Willie said museum, Alex had kind of been picturing a history museum with, like, fossils or something. Willie seems like he was the kind of kid who loved reading about dinosaurs and fossils and stuff. But an art museum makes sense since Willie is an artist.

Willie doesn't drop Alex's hand as they peruse the exhibits. There are sculptures in strange colors and shiny chrome metals. Paintings of abstract faces and people. Even exhibits that are interactive. One where you're encouraged to take pieces of the sculpture with you. And one that's a giant room with eyes and teeth painted on the walls. That's where Willie stops them.

"This is my favorite," Willie grins, "The yelling room. Have you ever yelled in a museum?"

Alex gapes, "Uh. No. Can't say I have."

Willie wiggles his eyebrows, "You want to?"

And when Willie throws his head back and yells, Alex can't resist. He whoops right along with the other boy. Their shouts die down into fits of laughter. After they've finished going through the exhibits, Willie nods toward the back door and tugs Alex outside. Then he pulls a can of spray paint out of his backpack.

"You know I love your art," Alex tells Willie, "But I think you just like breaking the rules."

Willie pops the lid off, shakes the can of paint, "Maybe," then he grins at Alex, "You should try it. Be my lookout?"

Alex tries to tell himself the fluttering in his chest is from the anxiety of doing something he knows he shouldn't. Not because watching Willie spray paint art onto the side of an art museum makes him feel warm inside like he never has before.

"Sorry, what?" Reggie blinks up from the cake him and Bobby are working on to give Alex a confused look.

Alex is so happy they sorted their relationship out. The two are so happy together. Kind of disgustingly so. Always giving each other big, schmoopy heart eyes. They're almost as bad as Luke and Julie. Alex is happy for them. Even if he gets annoyed when Reggie is so focused on watching Bobby he doesn't listen.

"Macarons," Alex repeats, "Can you make them?"

Reggie grins from ear to ear, "Well, sure! They're really fun, actually. I used to make these cotton candy flavored ones that were disgustingly sweet and they were so good-"

"Will you teach me?" Alex interrupts because when Reggie gets on tangent, he can seriously talk nonstop.

"My cotton candy macaron recipe?" Reggie sounds confused, "Alex, dude, you'd probably ralph from the smell alone."

"No, not-" Alex sighs, "Will you teach me how to make macarons?"

Reggie absolutely glows with excitement, "Of course! Let's go. I'll walk you through the method and show you how to do it then we'll work on them together and-"

"Baby," Bobby interrupts, "What about this cake?"

Reggie just turns his smile on the other boy, kisses Bobby's cheek, and tells him, "You got it, Beebs. We're on the finishing touches anyway," when Bobby frowns a little, Reggie's smile turns into a smirk, and he whispers, "I'll make it up to you later."

Bobby flushes, clears his throat, "Yeah, don't worry. I, uh. I'll take care of it."

"Thanks, Bobbers!" Reggie says, all chipper again, and then loops his arm around Alex's elbow, "Come on, Lex. These take forever to master so the sooner we get started, the better."

Reggie is way more patient than Luke. In fact, Reggie kind of reminds Alex of a kindergarten teacher or something. First, Reggie makes a batch of macarons so Alex can see the proper method. Then he walks Alex through as he tries for himself. Reggie doesn't get frustrated. Not even when Alex messes up the batter, twice, and has to start over. Not when Alex messes up the piping. And has to start over. Not even when Alex gets frustrated because he messes up the baking time and bumps the tray and knocks the baked treat over into a soupy mess. And has to start over.

When Alex groans in frustration, Reggie pats his shoulder.

"You got this, Lex," Reggie tells him, "You're an awesome baker. These can just suck to make," then Reggie makes a curious hum, "Hey, how come you want to make these anyway?"

"They're Willie's favorite," Alex confesses, "And I wanted to make them for him."

"Really?" Reggie perks and slaps Alex on his back, "Then chin up! We got this. Now let's get you your man!"

Alex groans, "That's what Luke said too."

"Well, Luke didn't have our secret weapon," Reggie plops down another bag of flour onto the counter next to Alex, "Perfect macarons."

"Yeah," Alex sighs then nods then stands up more certainly, "You're right. Let's do this. Show me again."

"That's the spirit!" Reggie cheers.

Alex decides he hates macarons more than any other sweet. They're awful. Disgustingly crunchy and chewy. So sweet it makes him want to gag from just the smell. And they are so hard to make. They require all of that delicate, focused baking Alex hates. But the sense of accomplishment he feels when he finally, finally, makes a perfect tray of macarons is indescribable. The high five Reggie gives him has Alex grinning like an idiot.

When Willie shows up, Alex is so excited to show him his macarons. He made tons of flavors. Pistachio, cherry, caramel, vanilla, chocolate, just in case Willie likes one more than the other. Only when Willie spots him, Willie frowns. His glimmering dark eyes seem dimmer than usual. He's holding his arms to his chest, clutching at his bicep and stroking his thumb over his shirt sleeve. Alex's heart drops. Immediately, he knows something is wrong. Alex sets his tray of macarons down so fast they crumble under the force. Alex doesn't care.

"Hey," he rushes over to Willie, "Are you okay? What's wrong?"

"Alex, I-" Willie starts, gulps, "I need to tell you something."

Alex's chest constricts. His palms go all sweaty as his heart races.

"Okay," Alex says in a rush. He catches Willie's hand and tugs him over to the corner table, "What's going on?"

"I lied," Willie says in a rush, uncharacteristically stumbling over his words, "I-I've been lying."

Alex feels like his heart is choking him in his throat. What does Willie mean? Has he been lying about liking him? Leading him on? Making Alex feel like he's finally complete for the first time in his life all as some kind of elaborate prank?

Alex must be showing all of his racing thoughts on his face because Willie gets all guilty and worried and he reaches out for Alex. But Alex pulls back so Willie stops.

"What are you talking about?" Alex asks, voice more steady than he feels.

"Alex, you have to understand," Willie rushes to explain, "I care about you. I just really...I really wanted to have an excuse to talk to you so I-" he stops short, chews his lip.

"What?" Alex asks, "If you want to stop seeing me, tell me. I deserve better than-"

"No!" Willie shouts, "No, I'm not-" then Willie says in a rush, "Ihatesweets."

"What?" Alex didn't catch any of that.

"I hate sweets," Willie explains, "I'm so sorry. I only said I like them so I'd have a reason to come in here and talk to you but-" Willie's voice goes wobbly, "I lied. I hate desserts. I'm really sorry-"

But Alex can't help it. He bursts out laughing. Willie's eyes go wide. Like he can't decide if Alex is so mad he's lost his mind or if all is forgiven.

"Me too!" Alex laughs, "I hate them too, Wills. I only-" he stops to suck in a breath between giggles, "I bake bread. I hate making sweets."

Willie lets out a disbelieving chuckle, "What? Seriously?"

"Yes," Alex confirms, "I learned how to make macarons yesterday. Because I had no idea how. I never make desserts."

"Wait, so-" Willie blinks at him. Alex swears Willie's face turns a warm, red color, "You learned how to make macarons? For me?"

"Yeah," Alex grins, reaches out. Willie meets his hand halfway, tangles their fingers, "I may not love sweets but I love you. So it was worth it."

Willie gasps softly.

Alex grins at him. Lifts their hands to kiss Willie's knuckles, feather-light.

"Oh, yeah," Alex smiles into Willie's skin, "I love you. Pretty sure you're my missing penguin, Wills."

Willie laughs, grinning so Alex can see his dimples. He tugs his hands from Alex's grip, cups his cheeks, and pulls Alex down into a kiss.

"I love you too, Lex," Willie murmurs, kisses Alex again, "And, yeah. I do believe in soulmates. Just so you know."

"Me too," Alex confesses, nuzzling his nose against Willie's, "So do you want to try some of my bread or what?"

Willie hums thoughtfully, "That depends. Are you making me dinner too?"

Alex snorts, "I'm a baker not a chef," and he catches Willie's hands, just to hold onto them because he can, "But I'd love to take you out to dinner. We can even skip dessert."

Willie wiggles his eyebrows, "I can think of something better for dessert than sweets anyway."

Alex really likes the sound of that. Leaning down, Alex kisses the smirk right off of Willie's face. So incredibly relieved that he doesn't have to make any more sweets ever again.